The Senate on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to end the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members, describing the policy as one that should no longer continue amid Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
The resolution followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua over the abduction and killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and other military officers by bandits.
During the debate, Senator Joseph Ikpea proposed an additional prayer urging the abolition of the rehabilitation programme for repentant Boko Haram members.
The proposal received strong backing from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who argued that pardoning and rehabilitating criminals “does not make common sense.”
Oshiomhole also urged the Senate to consider legislation that would permanently abolish the programme. The proposal was adopted by a majority of senators through a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
The Senate also resolved to send a delegation to meet with President Bola Tinubu over the country’s deteriorating security situation after a proposal by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro was adopted.
Presenting the motion, Yar’Adua expressed concern over the growing sophistication of terrorist and bandit networks, saying they had expanded their attacks from communities to targeting military personnel.
He condemned the killing of Major General Abubakar and other security officers and urged the Federal Government to urgently deploy modern security technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, geospatial intelligence, integrated command-and-control platforms, and advanced communication systems to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Although the Senate’s resolution is not legally binding, it reflects the position of the upper chamber and will be communicated to the Presidency for consideration.
